postgresql-common on Debian/Ubuntu pg_ctlcluster /var/log/postgresql link following

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in postgresql-common on Debian/Ubuntu. It has been declared as problematic. This affects an unknown part of the file /var/log/postgresql of the component pg_ctlcluster. Executing a manipulation can lead to link following. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2016-1255. The attack needs to be launched locally. No exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in postgresql-common on Debian/Ubuntu (Database Software) (version now known) and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects some unknown processing of the file /var/log/postgresql of the component pg_ctlcluster. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a link following vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-59. The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource. As an impact it is known to affect integrity. CVE summarizes:

The pg_ctlcluster script in postgresql-common package in Debian wheezy before 134wheezy5, in Debian jessie before 165+deb8u2, in Debian unstable before 178, in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS before 129ubuntu1.2, in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS before 154ubuntu1.1, in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS before 173ubuntu0.1, in Ubuntu 17.04 before 179ubuntu0.1, and in Ubuntu 17.10 before 184ubuntu1.1 allows local users to gain root privileges via a symlink attack on a logfile in /var/log/postgresql.

The bug was discovered 01/12/2017. The weakness was published 12/05/2017 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at lists.debian.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2016-1255 since 12/27/2015. The attack needs to be approached locally. Required for exploitation is a single authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 301 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 104496 (Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / 16.04 LTS / 17.04 / 17.10 : postgresql-common vulnerabilities (USN-3476-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Ubuntu Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 196968 (Ubuntu Security Notification for Postgresql-common Vulnerabilities (USN-3476-1)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published before and not just after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (104496) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2024-0143). Similar entry is available at VDB-109304. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • Open Source CentOS
  • Debian Linux
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • Open Source PostgreSQL
  • IBM Security Verify Access
  • Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

Type

Name

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.8

VulDB Base Score: 4.0
VulDB Temp Score: 3.8
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Link following
CWE: CWE-59
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 104496
Nessus Name: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / 16.04 LTS / 17.04 / 17.10 : postgresql-common vulnerabilities (USN-3476-1)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 841749
OpenVAS Name: Ubuntu Update for postgresql-common USN-3476-1
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: anonscm.debian.org

Timelineinfo

12/27/2015 🔍
01/12/2017 +382 days 🔍
11/09/2017 +301 days 🔍
11/10/2017 +1 days 🔍
12/05/2017 +25 days 🔍
12/05/2017 +0 days 🔍
12/05/2017 +0 days 🔍
08/02/2025 +2797 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: USN-3476-1
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2016-1255 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2016-1255
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-110200
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2024-0143 - PostgreSQL: Mehrere Schwachstellen

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 12/05/2017 21:35
Updated: 08/02/2025 13:55
Changes: 12/05/2017 21:35 (73), 12/12/2019 09:16 (2), 01/17/2023 08:16 (5), 08/02/2025 13:55 (23)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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